The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is investigating a missing person's case after receiving a report about a possible river accident.

Eric Ashby, 31, of Colorado Springs was reported missing by family July 8 after receiving information from friends that he was in a river accident June 28.

In a news release Wednesday, the FCSO states they had received a call June 28 about a possible river accident near the area of Sunshine Falls near CR 61 on the Arkansas River.

"(The) caller stated he watched a personal raft flip and multiple people go into the river," the news release said. The caller also reportedly witnessed everyone in the raft but one person make it to shore.

The caller was not involved with the group rafting and only watched from a distance.

The news release said the FCSO, officials from the Cañon City Fire Department and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officers all responded to the area.

However, when they arrived, no one was on scene.

Crews with the FCSO, CCFD, Fremont Search and Rescue Swift Water Rescue team and CPW officers all continued to search the area and river by helicopter; searching downstream to the Pink House Recreation Center in Cañon City.

All continued their search until dark but found nothing.

"No one besides the first caller ever called to report a river accident or missing rafter," the news release said.

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The Daily Record received a phone call June 29 from a photographer in the area regarding the incident. The Daily Record inquired to the sheriff's office and the county coroner if they had received any reports of a drowning in the area, but they had not received any at that time.

Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller notified the Daily Record on July 5 that search and rescue crews actively were looking for a believed missing person in the river.

Once Ashby's family contacted the FCSO after being informed about a river accident and after further investigation, the FCSO stated they believe these to be the same event.

"The FCSO is now investigating a missing person's case as a body that has not been recovered," the release said.

Anyone with info is asked to call Detective Jenkins at 719-276-5556 or Fremont County Crimestoppers at 719-275-STOP.

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